Banana Dessert

Thai Dessert, Bananas In Coconut Milk

This Thai banana dessert is made with bananas cooked in coconut milk and topped with coconut cream. The bananas are the kluai nam wa variety and the word kluai means banana. The Thai name of this banana dessert is kluai buat chi.

           Popular Thai Banana Dessert, Kluai Nam Wa Bananas In Coconut Milk
Called 'Kluai Buat Chi' In Thai

           This banana dessert is fully vegetarian and is a very common Thai dessert. The main ingredient in the Thai banana dessert is a particular type of bananas and coconut milk. For good taste you will need to use the kluai nam wa type of bananas. The botanical name of these bananas is musa sapientum and the bananas are around 4 to 5 inches long. There is a similar banana dessert made in certain parts of India, but the Indian banana dessert uses milk (not coconut milk) and grated coconut. The bananas in the Indian dessert are the long sweet type of bananas and no cooking or heating is involved. In this section we discuss the Thai banana dessert recipe and provide some useful suggestions for enhancing it's taste.

Ingredients 

Ripe Nam Wa type bananas	5 bananas
Coconut cream	1/4 Cup
Coconut milk	1.5 Cups
Sugar	1/2 Cup
Salt	1/2 Teaspoon

***Suitable for 4-5 persons***

Procedure 

Preparing the bananas: Peel the bananas and slit vertically into half, then once again cut the pieces horizontally into half. Each banana would now be cut into four pieces and this is the ideal size for the bananas in the dessert to get cooked well. Notice whether the bananas are soft (ripe enough) or a little stiff as you cut them. This information will be needed as we proceed further in the Thai banana dessert recipe.

Working with the coconut milk: Pour the coconut milk into a pot and turn on the heat. This is one of the main ingredients in the banana dessert recipe and the coconut milk needs to boil before we proceed. After the milk has started boiling, lower the heat to medium level and drop the banana pieces into the boiling coconut milk. For the ideal banana dessert, the bananas will have to cook until tender. It is not advisable to overcook the bananas as this will make them very soft and bloated. Sufficiently riped bananas will become tender sooner than bananas that are partially riped. Once the bananas are tender turn off the heat. Now, add the sugar and salt into the pot and keep stirring until they have dissolved.

Finishing and serving: Now add the coconut cream into the pot and share the banana dessert into small bowls. Let the Thai dessert come to room temperature and then serve. The bananas in the dessert should remain as distinct pieces and not break down to a pulp. It is therefore important that you do not overcook the bananas in the coconut milk. Some cooks prefer to spread the coconut cream on the bananas after the dessert has been shared into smaller bowls. This is a minor change to the banana dessert recipe and you could try it out.

           The kluai nam wa bananas used in the Thai banana dessert recipe are around 4 to 5 inches long. The botanical name for these bananas is musa sapientum. The recipe for this Thai dessert needs to consider whether the bananas are quite raw or sufficiently ripe.

Additional Tips 

About coconut milk and cream: We would like to clarify that it is coconut milk and not coconut water that is used in this banana Thai dessert recipe. Coconut milk and coconut cream are readily available in grocery stores. You might also find dried coconut cream powder, this can be easily made into coconut milk or coconut cream. Coconut cream has a thicker consistency as compared to coconut milk and can almost be spread. 

Making coconut cream and coconut milk: If coconut milk or coconut cream are not readily available, get some dried coconut cream powder from the grocery store and prepare the coconut cream and milk. Basically, you will need to add more water to the cream powder to get coconut milk and add less water to get the required consistency for coconut cream. The packet should provide instructions for this, but you can try this yourself by first mixing a teaspoon of the coconut cream powder in water. You will soon get to be very efficient in judging the amount of water required to be added. Grocery stores also sell dried coconut called desiccated coconut. This can also be used to prepare the coconut milk and cream required in the Thai banana dessert recipe. First place around 500 grams of desiccated coconut in a bowl, the bowl should be fairly large. Boil 3 cups of water and turn off the heat when boiled, now pour the hot water on the desiccated coconut in the bowl. Leave the bowl for around 15-20 minutes and after that, take a fine cloth and strain the mixture of desiccated coconut and water through the cloth. Squeeze as much as you can and use the extract as coconut cream. Now once again add 3 cups of hot water into the same bowl with the (same) desiccated coconut, leave still for 15-20 minutes and do another strain through the fine cloth. This extract will be slightly thinner than the first one and can be used as the coconut milk for our banana dessert recipe.

Checking the bananas: As mentioned above, the kluai nam wa variety of bananas are most suited for the bananas in coconut milk recipe. The normal long bananas do not have the required consistency and will disintegrate into a pulp when cooked. If the bananas are very ripe, you can reduce the amount of sugar to be added to the banana dessert. Also pay attention when boiling very ripe bananas in coconut milk, ripe bananas will become tender faster than bananas that are not fully riped. If you over boil the riped bananas, they will bloat and disintegrate while cooking. In case your bananas are not yet ripe, a slight change in the recipe for the Thai banana dessert will have to be made. These bananas will have a stickiness that needs to be taken away. Take a bowl of water with around 3 cups of water and boil the bananas in the bowl for around 3-5 minutes. Now take the bananas out of the bowl and keep them ready for the next step. Bananas that are not yet fully ripe would not be very sweet and this requires a small change in the banana dessert recipe. The only change that you will need to make is to add the sugar into the coconut milk and then boil the banana pieces in the coconut milk. This will spread the sweetness of the sugar right through the banana pieces and enhance the taste of the banana dessert. The rest of the banana dessert recipe will remain the same. 

Let's see Easy way save time to cooking"Banana Desert in coconut milk"

Thank you for watching my video^^

Traditions and Cultures of Thailand – living like a local!

   Thailand arguably has one of the richest cultures in the world. It is undeniably deep-rooted in tradition. So there are certain customs to observe when travellers make their way through the unique Kingdom. In a country where culture is as rich as the king himself, there are customs that a traveler should observe and practice with the locals. With many of its influences from countries like India, China and Cambodia, and religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, this melting pot offers a unique blend of stunning culture for us to enjoy.

   As common as a handshake, Thai people greet each other with a two hand bowing gesture called the Wai. This salutation is not only used to say hello, but it can also be used to thank or apologize to someone. Your travels to Thailand would not be complete without visiting a few temples along the way. Even though temples have their own practices, most require that guests dress conservatively by covering the shoulders and knees and removing shoes before entering sacred places.

  The Thai language is one of the “heart” rather than that of logic. The Thai’s appreciate a person who doesn’t express strong emotions, is patient and calm. Conversely, they love to smile, laugh and show their beautiful hearts or “nam-jai”. Another simple and effective way to do it all in the Thai way is to stay cool, calm and collected. No matter what the situation, keep your voice to a low and almost- melodic tone. The easier your voice is to listen to, the more you will be understood. 

 Thai Temple

Traditions Thai Dancer

Incense At Thai Temple

Remove shoes before entering temples

Asking for directions

Greeting locals

Ayutthaya Tourism

Top 10 Must Do’s

Historical and Majestic Highlights

Serving as the Thai capital for 417 years (1350 - 1767), Ayutthaya was once glorified as one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia. Visitors can explore and appreciate Thai history in Ayutthaya. Marvel at the grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island, and surrounded by Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers. Right in the very heart of the Ayutthaya city is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya Historical Park.

1. The ancient splendor of Ayutthaya Historical Park

The Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers the ruins of the old city of Ayutthaya, founded by King Ramathibodi in 1350. The old city was Thailand’s capital until 1767. Historic temples are scattered throughout this once magnificent city. Principle sights include the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Si Sanphet - the Royal Chapel, and Wat Mahathat – the Temple of the Great Relic. Renting a bicycle and chartering a long-tail boat allows you to absorb the attractions up close.

2. Spend a day in the Bang Pa-In Palace

A few miles down the Chao Phraya River is the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. The site was first used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. The structures represent a variety of architectural styles, set in a large park around ponds and waterways. Bang Pa-In Palace is usually included in a day trip excursion from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.

3. Handmade works of art at the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Center

Farmers from Ayutthaya and from all over the country undergo training in folk arts and crafts here. At this center, you will have a glimpse of how farmers in the four regions live and work, as well as how their art products are produced. Get yourself a few pieces of weaving baskets, hand-woven silk and cotton, Thai dolls, and many more.

4. Ride a boat and explore Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother, Wat Chai Wattanaram was conceived as a replica of the Angkor Temple. Its great beauty is reflected from the main stupa and its satellite stupas along the gallery. A long-tailed boat trip is available from Chankasem Palace Pier.

5. River cruise: the best way to see the best of Ayutthaya

River cruises to Ayutthaya not only reveal the beauty and lifestyle of the people along the Chao Phraya River, but also reflect the life at the time of Ayutthaya Kingdom, when the Chao Phraya River served as a channel for trade. Several companies operate luxury cruises to Bang Pa-In, with side trips by bus to Ayutthaya. Longer two-day trips are also available by converted rice barges with the more eco, agro and cultural activities incorporated

6. Celebrate a milestone at the Ayutthaya World Heritage Fair / Light & Sound

A celebration is held annually in December to commemorate the declaration of the Ayutthaya Historical Park as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The fair features local ways of life, handicrafts, Thai traditions and culture, as well as a light and sound presentation on the Kingdom of Ayutthaya’s history.

7. Romp and walk side by side with elephants

Enjoy elephant riding, shows, and feeding during your Ayutthaya vacation. A trip fording the stream and visiting ancient monuments, as well as a hands-on experience working, playing, and taking care of retired elephants will enhance your experience of a lifetime.

8. Discover Thai's cultural roots at the Ayutthaya Historical Study Center, Ayutthaya Tourism Center and the National Art Museum

If time is limited, visit either Ayutthaya Historical Study Center, which is both a research institute and a museum, or Ayutthaya Tourism Center (ATC), where visitors can enjoy exhibitions and a video presentation on Ayutthaya’s history, tourism, architecture and lifestyle. Explore more at the National Art Museum and the Ayothaya Contemporary Art Gallery within the ATC. 

9. Bring Ayutthaya back home

Palm leaf fish mobiles, bamboo fans, palm leaf hats, miniature crafts, and Aranyik knives are Ayutthaya’s typical products. There are numerous shops selling all kinds of local products at the grounds in front of Wihan Phara Mongkhon Bophit and Wat Phananchoeng. 

10. Dine with a spectacular view in Ayutthaya 

Ayutthaya is famed for its boat noodle soup. This special authentic noodle soup is still served in some eateries where the counters are shaped like boats. Riverside restaurants are ideal places to enjoy local specialties, all with an amazing view of the river. Some establishments even offer their own dining cruise service. For a great snack, try Roti Sai Mai, which is known as the best sweet roti in Thailand.

"thank you"

source: http://www.tat-la.com/destinations/ayutthaya

RURAL TOURISM

     

       Rural tourism >>>> a visit to rural areas for the purpose of participating in or experiencing activities, events or attractions not readily available in urbanized settings.As against conventional tourism, rural tourism has certain typical characteristics like: it is experience oriented, the locations are sparsely populated, it is predominantly in natural environment, it meshes with seasonality and local events and is based on preservation of culture, heritage and traditions. There is also a greater emphasis on the human touch.

        Rural tourism is essentially an activity which takes place in the countryside. It is multi-faceted and may entail farm/agricultural tourism, cultural tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, and eco-tourism.

Why Rural Tourism in India:

        Viewed against the backdrop of the above definition, India with its vast geography, rich traditions, culture and heritage, a vast and beautiful rural landscape, is naturally suited for this.

         India is a country of immense contrasts. The stark images of this contrast are visible when you travel to the interiors. It is home to 70% of 1.10 Billion people. The growing prosperity in urban areas, so visible in the vehicles, Malls, Multiplexes, Restaurants and Designer Brand Outlets is still to be seen in the rural areas. Here time stands still, the pace of life gentle, working conditions hard and each day of life brings new challenges. Amidst these hardships, the people exude warmth and welcome visitors with open arms.

        India Rural Tours endeavors to give the tourist the opportunity to experience some facets of this life. The tourist can:

         A. Spend anywhere from a couple of days to a week to enjoy the Rural lifestyle and livelihood experience sprinkled with some adventure or

         B. Live in a Homestay in scenic settings or

         C. Volunteer to work with an NGO in carefully prepared programs to achieve a sense of fulfillment. The Tourist can volunteer to:

•  Teach English / Computers in a local school
•  Assist disabled and the fully abled in Old Age Homes
•  Run a medical camp (for those medically qualified)
• Assist those who are mentally handicapped
• Participate in a Rural Infrastructure Development program

        If you wish to enjoy this fulfilling experience, India Rural Tours is just the agency for you. We bring you this experience and customize your visit and help you in every possible manner to make your visit a success. Go ahead and book today.

http://www.indiaruraltours.com/RuralTourism.aspx

TRAVEL & TOURIST GUIDE

Travel and tourism provide services of all types for both inbound and outbound travelers, and have become one of the world's fastest growing industries. International travel and tourism are the world's largest export earner and an important factor in the balance of payments of most nations. The market is increasingly diverse, covering not only traditional sunshine tourism and business trips but also many new types of travel that have developed in recent years. Tourism has become one of the world's most important sources of employment. It covers a wide range of jobs, including all branches of the travel industry, hospitality in hotels and restaurants, entertainment and recreation, as well as the tourist attractions in a particular region. Areas of work include Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, Tourist Boards and Tourist Information Centres, Transport Companies, Tour Guides, Tourist Attractions.

Characteristics of  a Great Tour Guide.

Frist, Understandable , your tour guide should speak a range of languages, including your own, as well as the local lingo. They should also speak clearly, audibly and with confidence. Depending on the type of tour, you might be asked to wear earphones or use other types of audio equipment.

Second, Punctual ,Your tour leader should be waiting for you when you arrive, rather than the other way around. Ideally, they should also ensure that other tour members arrive and depart on time, and don’t cause delays for the group as a whole.

Third ,Friendly ,A relaxed and friendly manner is key to a great tour guide. They also need to have a certain level of authority, and be able to keep tour members together and focused without coming across as intimidating, patronizing or arrogant – not a good look in a tour guide.

Fourth, Knowledgeable ,A good tour guide has an in-depth knowledge of the site, its history and importance. A great tour guide has a passion for their subject and can convey their enthusiasm to the group. Such passion can be contagious and inspiring, and make the site really come alive. Being able to convey a sense of the overall cultural background is also important, as it can greatly enhance each tour member’s overall understanding of the site as a whole.

Fifth, Engaging ,Great tour guides share their knowledge in an engaging, illuminating and entertaining way, rather than repeating a list of facts by rote.

Sixth, Interactive ,Effective tour guides also invite questions and interaction from tour members, rather than treating the tour as a one-person show or a ‘be quiet and listen’ school lesson.

Seventh, Funny ,A certain level of friendly humour is essential. Equally, a good tour guide also knows when to include a little quiet time, and when to let the site speak for itself.

Eighth, Observant The tour needs to be relevant to a broad range of people, including different age groups. A good tour leader also needs to be aware of tour members with special needs.

Ninth, Good Pacing ,Whether the speed of the narrative or the pace of a walking tour, it should be neither too fast nor too slow. Like Goldilocks, it should be just right.

And Last, Flexible ,When appropriate, a flexible approach can make the difference between a good and a great tour guide. Being flexible means being open to serendipity, taking a moment to enjoy spontaneous moments like a particularly perfect sunset.

The tourism industry tries to meet the needs of all types of tourists by providing suitable facilities and services for each category.

• v  Business tourist: travel is related to business and the world of work. MESE which stands for meetings, exhibitions and special events. These are all part of the business world. All major cities have conference centres that cater for the needs of business tourists. An example of a business tourist would be a salesman who travels to another city to attend a trade show and promote the products he sells.
• v  Education tourists: travel to attend a place of learning in another town, city, or country, in order to study for or improve a qualification. They may also be people that attend workshops to learn new skills or improve existing ones. A clinic nurse who travels to another province to attend a workshop about infectious diseases is an example of an educational tourist.
• v  Incentive tourists: are people who are rewarded in the form of a company paid holiday for their hard work, or for achieving goals set by their company. This incentive to travel motivates employees to work harder, improves work relationships, and builds team spirit. A salesman who receives a holiday package for achieving the most sales in the company is an example of an incentive tourist.
• v  Health or medical tourist: travel because they want to visit a holiday spa, needs medical special treatment that is only available away from home, undergo procedures that are cheaper in another country, or are recovering from an illness in a healthier climate. Many tourist come from oversees countries to South Africa to have plastic surgery.
• v  Adventure tourist: want an unusual and exciting experience. They want to participate in activities that may be dangerous, such as rock climbing, river rafting, skydiving, shark cave diving and bungee jumping.
• v  Cultural tourist: want to experience different cultures, such as San rock art, or cultural related festivals such as the National Art Festival in Grahams-town, or the International Jazz Festival in Cape Town. They would also want to experience the World Heritage Sites in the country.
• v  Eco-tourists: travel to experience nature such as traveling to Bonita Gardens in Bloemfontein South Africa
• v  Leisure tourist: want to rest and relax and have a break from the usual routine Examples of this type of tourism are a cruise on a cruise liner, a trip on a Blue train, attending a special music special music performance or relaxing on the beach.
• v  Religious tourist: want to see and experience places of religious importance. There are many religious destinations in the world such as the Hajj in Mecca, Jerusalem in Israel, Varanasi in India, and the Vatican in Rome. During Easter the largest Christian pilgrimage to Zion City, Moria, Limpopo, takes place. More than a million pilgrims travel to Moria to every Easter.
• v  Shopping tourist: travel to shopping malls, shopping centres, factory shops, crafts market, festivals, and touring shopping routes such as the Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal. Their main purpose is to buy items.
• v  Special interest tourist (STI): have particular interest such as bird watching, food and wine, flowers, fishing during the Sardine Run, or attending the Cape Town Book Fair.
• v  Sport and recreation tourist: participate in or watch sporting events. Popular events include the Soccer World Cup, Winblendon Tennis Championship, Comrades Marathon, and Fisher River Canoe Marathon. Surfing, mountain climbing, cricket, swimming, golf and tennis are popular sports.

Most important characteristics to develop in myself.

• v  At least speak a foreign language is English.
• v  There are those who seek knowledge and knowledge regularly.
• v  Love to travel and adapt services and tackle well in all situations.
• v  Flexibility, compromise and looks warm benevolence as the trust of travelers.
• v  Leadership is the courage with prudence and precaution.
• v  Cheerful attitude a sacrifice, honesty, integrity and patience.
• v  Completely healthy Witty and very uninspired
• v  Be creative Have a good relationship
• v  Love is a great communicator , and the various lectures .
• v  As well as data storage tourism. Customer goodwill and customer contacts a traveler.

Travel & Tourist

             According to A study by the Thailand Development and research Institute (TDRI)showed that about 31 percent of international tourists obtained information about Thailand from their friends. Only 15  percent got the information from tour operators whereas about 12 percent got information from both sources.To attract those who have not yet decided their holiday destination, It is necessary to impress the  foreign tourist already in Thailand.However, a survey in 1990-1991 by the Intrama World Destination Monitor put Thailand second only to Hong Kong as a place where 1,450 tour operator around the world said tourists were likely to be cheated or overcharged in Asia. India came in third. Italy was considered to be the number one country in the world where tourists were most likely to be cheated.

             First, Consumer behavior refers to the process of acquiring and organizing information in the direction of a purchase decision and of using and evaluating products and services. This process encompasses the stages of searching for, purchasing, using, evaluating, and disposing of products and services. The tourist buying decision presents some unique aspects: it is an investment with no tangible rate of return, and the purchase is often prepared and planned through savings made over a considerable period of time. That is, the vacation tourist will invest with no expectation of material and economic return on his or her purchase of an intangible satisfaction. As travelers become more sophisticated in their vacationing behavior, research must continue to become more sophisticated to explain this behavior. To take adequate actions in the area of tourism marketing, one must understand how people perceive such things as destination areas, air travel, travel distances and travel advertising; how they learn to consume and to travel; how they make travel decisions; and how personality affects those decisions (Moutinho, 1987). Choosing the travel destination is a very important and long-way decision process for the tourist, and understanding of the factors that influence decision-choice process is extremely important for the tourism industry. In order to stay competitive in this very competitive industry, tourism organizations should understand the decision process of their tourists that can be divided into different target markets (Costa and Ferrone, 1995).

            Second, A survey in 1990-1991 by the INTRAMA World Destination Monitor, Thailand was ranked on the second place where the tourists were likely to be cheated in Asia. The tourists may feel betrayed and are more likely to go somewhere else for the similar products or services. Thailand may also get a bad reputation as a deceptive country, which means decreased revenues in the future. Therefore, it may be difficult for the tourists to accept and trust but their awareness in ethics can be altered and Thailand will gain loyalty from customers again.

            Finally, Can resolve this problem.  By set the standard of price, accommodation and other services.  

Indicates the development of tourism in Thailand. To create a good image for the tourists.  And attract tourists back to Thailand again.

Special Interest Tourism

Special Interest Tourism is a category of tourism that involves people with particular interests such as painting, cooking or bird-watching. The tourists who fall under this category are mainly people with very particular needs on visiting a place. For example, you can have a tourist in a particular national park just for bird watching.

A range of special interest tourist categories

• Regional Tourism – Growth in interest in travel to regions of the UK and the major cities within regions, supported by upgrading of transport links and attractions.

 • Cultural Tourism - Turning visits to arts, sports and other events into a weekend stay or centre-piece of a holiday.

• Heritage Tourism - Impact of Lottery funding to upgrade existing heritage sites and create visitor attractions at new locations. Growing interest in the heritage of industrial age in Britain, as we fully embrace the post-industrial era.

• Rural Tourism – See activity on Tourism in the Countryside.

• Educational Tourism – for example, learn a language in the country where it is spoken.

 • Cycle Tourism – Integrating transport links to enable people to tour further afield on their (or hired) bicycles.

• Travelling for Health – The growth and re-birth of spa and health resorts. Personal well-being becomes the focal point of the tourism experience.

• Environmental Tourism - ‘Green’ holiday locations and activities include environmentally-friendly forms of travel as well as visitor locations offering ‘green’ experiences.

• Wine and Food Tourism - Food and wine festivals, journeys through wine and food producing areas. Travel and activity form part of the entire holiday experience.

• The Cruise Experience - This sector has seen rapid growth in the past twenty years.

• Festivals and Events Tourism - Celebrating global, national and regional festivals and events. Cultural and religious festivals especially popular.

• Seniors Tourism - Boosted by increased life expectancy in the developed world and by a general rise in affluence of some senior citizens, the market for ‘grey’ tourism is expanding.